EPA figures reveal rise in greenhouse gas emissions

Ireland is failing to meet its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the latest assessment by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The agency has found that total emissions increased by almost half of 1% in 2004.

Emissions had actually decreased the previous year due to the close of the IFI fertiliser plants in Arklow and Cork Harbour.

The latest EPA figures show that Ireland's emissions are now 23.5% higher than they were in 1990.

Under the Kyoto Protocol, Ireland is required to reduce these emissions to 13% above 1990 levels within the next six years.

The largest contributor to the problem is agriculture, which accounts for almost 29% of Irish emissions, followed by energy generation (23%) and transport (17.5%).